Bible Verses on Honesty and Integrity: What Does God Say
An honest person is a rare find in a world filled with falsehoods, fakery, and facades. But God’s Word commands Christians to stand out above our peers. These Bible verses on honesty show us exactly what God thinks about living as an honest and virtuous woman.
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A Call to Spot God’s Truth Among the Lies of the World
Have you ever watched an old black-and-white movie and realized how fake the scenery is? A discerning eye can see the false fronts of buildings. It’s easy to spot plants and animals that aren’t alive. Sometimes you’ll see homes that show no sign that anyone lives there.
Yet sometimes when we’re removed from a situation, it’s easy to see what’s real and what’s fake. But when we’re faced with people and circumstances in our everyday lives, seeing lies is more difficult.
Social media, magazines, television, and movies paint false pictures for us every day. And sometimes it looks so real, that it’s impossible to spot the lie.
That’s why God calls His children to walk differently. He wants us to portray a life of honesty and integrity. As believers, we’re to live a virtuous life that shines godly character to a lost and broken world.
The Only Source of Honesty and Integrity
You can find the path to an honest life above reproach in the Word of God. The Bible lays out a plan for Christian living that shows us how to walk in His good path.
It’s not easy. The world and our enemy want us to fall.
But we see that Jesus gave us the ultimate example of honesty and integrity to emulate. Jesus is our source of all things righteous.
We can follow the example of the life of Jesus to learn how to live a life that honors God.
Biblical Examples of Honesty and Dishonesty
Let’s examine some powerful Bible verses on honesty and examine what to do (and not to do!) from scripture.
Ananias and Sapphira: A Cautionary Tale About Dishonesty
In Acts 5 we read a story that shocks our sensibilities. In the early church, many of the members sold property and gave the money to the church. It was a noble and generous act.
Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, decided to join in this trend and sold some land.
Before bringing their money to Peter, they conspired together to keep part of the money. Peter asked Ananias, “Did you sell the property for this amount of money?”
“Yes,” Ananias said, “that much.”
He immediately fell down dead, and some men carried him out and buried him.
A few hours later, his wife Sapphira came in to see where her husband was. Peter asked her the same question, and she responded just like her husband. She fell dead, and the same men buried her beside her husband.
They told a lie. To us, that seems like a minor incident. But it’s not a small incident to God. Ananias and Sapphira were not judged for keeping back a part of the money. They were judged because they chose to lie to the Holy Ghost. God takes that pretty seriously.
While we may not have the same consequences for lying in our own life, we should strive to honor God with truthful words and actions.
Zaccheus
In Luke 19:1-10, we find the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who sought to see Jesus. When Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the sycamore tree and invited Himself to his house, Zacchaeus was transformed by the encounter.
He openly confessed his wrongdoings and pledged to make amends. He promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay four times the amount he had taken unjustly.
This story highlights the power of honesty, repentance, and redemption. Zacchaeus’ willingness to be truthful about his past and his commitment to restitution demonstrate the profound change that honesty can bring.
His story encourages us to embrace honesty, not only in our words but also in our actions. It’s also a reminder of the amazing grace of Jesus to cover all our missteps, no matter how big they may seem.
The Poor Widow
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes people giving offerings at the temple treasury.
Among them, a poor widow gives two small coins, which Jesus declares to be more valuable than the large sums given by the wealthy.
The widow’s offering, though modest, was given with complete honesty and genuine sacrifice, reflecting her true devotion and trust in God.
This passage teaches us that honesty in our actions and intentions holds great worth in God’s eyes. It reminds us that the sincerity of our hearts, rather than the magnitude of our deeds, is what truly matters.
Being honest and authentic in our giving, as the widow exemplified, is a profound act of faith and love.
We should be honest with God…always
Being honest with God is an act of faith, surrender, and humility.
Psalm 139:23-24 states, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,”
This powerful Psalm encourages a raw, transparent vulnerability before our Creator. Throughout scripture we’re reminded to have a healthy fear of the Lord, is where wisdom begins and grows.
Being honest with God acknowledges that He already knows the depths of our hearts and minds, yet it invites Him to reveal and heal our hidden faults.
This honesty is not just about confessing sins but about opening every aspect of our lives to His loving scrutiny. It’s about humbling ourselves before the face of the Lord and being completely honest in the Lord’s sight.
Then, it’s trusting that God’s grace will meet us in our sin, bestow His grace upon us, and refine our character as He grows us in His image.
Top 5 Bible Verses on Honesty
The Bible is full of Bible verses about honesty and integrity. We’ll explore many of those verses later, but first, let’s dig into these top scriptures.
Exodus 20:16
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
The Ten Commandments are the basis of every law in the Old Testament and even in modern times. We tend to put a lot of weight on commandments like “thou shalt not steal,” or “thou shalt not kill.”
But every commandment is important, and God put this one in there for a reason. In the New Testament, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. When you love someone with the pure love of God, there’s no room for lying, gossip or ugly words.
Honesty should be our default as a woman of faith and it builds trusting, helpful relationships.
Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
When we think of things that God hates, we think of awful sins like stealing or murder. How crazy to see that when Solomon wrote a list of things God hates, he includes dishonesty in two different forms.
God loves all people, but He hates a lying tongue. A lying tongue is a person who lies often and continually. Have you ever said about someone, “If his mouth is moving, he’s lying.” God hates habitual lying.
But secondly, God hates when someone uses lies and falsehoods to hurt others. God wants His people to speak honestly from a pure heart, and not use words as weapons.
Ephesians 2:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
In this chapter of Ephesians, Paul reminds the church members that they are a part of a community. In other words, we are all a part of the body of Christ.
To fulfill Christ’s plan for His church, we must work together to further His kingdom. And that means being honest with one another and the world around us. Working together involves trust.
The quickest way to tear apart trust and relationships is to lie. People can work for years to build a relationship and destroy it with just one lie. Honesty is a vital part of God’s plan for a successful and functioning church.
2 Corinthians 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Honesty is important in all aspects of life. Sometimes it’s easier to be honest in the sight of God because we know He sees and knows everything about us.
But we are also required to be honest in the sight of man. Keeping secrets, or telling half-truths has become the norm in our society. But that is not God’s way.
He calls Christians to be ministers of God, living out the truths found in the Holy Bible. This means being honest when it’s not popular and living authentically in the eyes of the Lord and walking truthfully before the world.
More Powerful Bible Verses on Honesty
Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.
Leviticus 19:11
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
Psalm 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
2 Corinthians 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
1 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Proverbs 16:13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Psalm 15:2
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.
Romans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
James 5:12
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Proverbs 21:3
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Psalm 119:29-30
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
Proverbs 10:9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
5 Keys to Living Bible Verses About Honesty and Integrity
It’s not enough to read the Bible. We have to learn to live it out in our daily lives.
Here are 5 ways that Christian women can walk in honesty every day.
Develop a Habit of Truthfulness
A woman of God who stands out from the world displays honesty in every action. Make honesty and speaking truth part of your everyday life.
Never fall into the trap of half-truths or “little white lies.” Learn to speak the truth in love by following Christ’s example.
Jesus never shied away from the truth, even when it was unpopular.
Going against the grain and living in God’s truth can be scary. It’s hard to stand up to a crowd and be different than others. But an honest woman shines as a bright light and a faithful witness for Christ.
Seek Accountability
As Christian women, we don’t live in a vacuum. We are called to be part of a community–the church. God gives us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, but we also need the accountability of family and friends.
Seek out other women who are committed to following Christ wholeheartedly. Encourage one another to walk honestly–to avoid lies, backbiting, and whispers. When finding an accountability partner, choose someone you can trust.
Ask the Lord to guide you to close friends who will encourage you to walk honestly, but who will call you out when you fall into lies or deceit. Such people are hard to find, but they will be invaluable as you grow your faith.
Reflect on God’s Word Daily
When we accept Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit begins to live inside us. He gives us the tools we need to live honestly in the sight of the Lord.
Everything we need to know to follow God can be found in the pages of scripture. Read and study the Bible, so you can live out God’s commands.
It’s important to know truth, so you can live with godly character in a lost and broken world.
This free scripture guide featuring Bible verses on honesty is a great place to start!
Practice Self Reflection
Learning to reflect on where you are and how you doing is a vital part of living your Christian life. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
Sometimes it’s necessary to pause, look deep in your heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you’re lacking. If you struggle with lying, deceit or living a fake life, ask the Lord to help you.
He wants you to live a righteous, honest life, and He gives you the ability to do it with His help.
Avoid Problematic Situations
Is there a particular temptation you just can’t say no to?
Maybe when you spend time with a certain friend group you’re often tempted to stretch the truth.
Perhaps there’s a social situation where you struggle to speak the truth.
When you’re working to live an honest life before God, you may need to avid these situations. It might be uncomfortable at first.
But it’ll get easier as you understand that a life that honors God reaps rewards far greater than friendship or camaraderie.
And you’ll find that God’s peace in your heart is far greater than acceptance in this world.